Hinckley AFC assistant manager Paul Tomlinson said the clean sheet pleased the backroom staff as much as the goals scored in yesterday’s 6-0 win over Nuneaton Griff.
Two goals each for Sean Williams and George Bowerman, plus one apiece for Lee Butler and debutant Lee Miveld helped AFC to their biggest win of the season so far.
But Tomlinson said it was shutting out the opposition for the first time this campaign that was the most pleasing aspect of the win. He said: “Since the start of the season we’ve put in some good performances but what’s pleased us as much as the goals tonight is the clean sheet.
“It was a great team performance going forward and scoring goals, but also complete defensively. We need to keep more clean sheets and I thought we didn’t look in any real trouble tonight, apart from Haydn’s fantastic save in the first half.
“We went straight up the other end and won the penalty, which settled us down and we went on to win the game quite comfortably in the end. If that (Griff’s) chance goes in it’s perhaps a different game.
“I thought Haydn was outstanding tonight. He didn’t have a great deal to do but his concentration levels were great, and we’ve been speaking to him a lot about that.
“A lot of that win came from him because he kept us level with that save and we went on to win the game comfortably.”
At the other end of the pitch, George Bowerman and Sam Agar have now scored seven goals between them already this season. It’s a blossoming partnership which has the potential to be “frightening” this season, according to Tomlinson.
“Carl says it’s the best strike force we’ve had at the club since we’ve been here and I tend to agree with him. They’re two intelligent footballers who are quick around the box and are starting to link up well together. The more games they play together, the more lethal that partnership could be.
“People are starting to play off them as well now, getting forward from the midfield. As a pair, they could be frightening in this division and we’re looking forward to seeing how the season develops with them.
“For a couple of the goals tonight they both could have been more selfish, but instead they found another player who passes it into the net. Sometimes that’s what you want from your strikers, to be less selfish when others are in better positions, and both George and Sam did that tonight.”
Another player who impressed on the night was Sean Williams. The winger scored the first two goals against Griff including a stunner from 25 yards, and Tomlinson was full of praise for the former Bromsgrove man.
“He’s like Benjamin Button! Sean’s a wonderful footballer and he’s added other things to his game over the years with his intelligence and the way he plays the game.
“He’s not just stuck out on the wing, where he used to terrorise full backs, and he’s got so much to offer this club. He’s so unselfish in his work rate and his work ethic, he’s a proper team player and a pleasure to have in the side.”
To see the full video interview with Tommo, head to our YouTube channel: https://youtu.be/oSsD3pLfsvU
